The IAC (Tenerife, Spain), the leading Astrophysical Center in Spain, invites applications for ONE postdoctoral research position for the external project financed by the Spanish National Plan entitled: “Detection of rocky exoplanets with very high spectral resolution spectrographs in telescopes of large aperture” (AYA2007-67458), and whose PI is Dr. Eduardo Martín Guerrero de Escalante and co-PI is Dr. María Rosa Zapatero Osorio. The successful candidate for the position will work within the framework of the IAC project entitled: "NAHUAL: An infrared echelle spectrograph for the GTC" (http://www.iac.es/proyecto/nahual).

Research topics at the IAC include most areas of astrophysics: cosmology and the structure of the Universe, galactic astrophysics, the structure and evolution of stars, the interstellar medium, solar physics, telescope design and construction, high spatial resolution techniques, infrared and optical instrumentation, and astronomical space projects. The IAC also leads the scientific teams responsible for the Day One instruments of the 10.4 m GTC segmented telescope (http://www.gtc.iac.es), as well as their scientific exploitation. Further information about the IAC's research programme, its Observatories and the GTC is available on the IAC's Web page (http://www.iac.es/).

Tasks:  The successful candidate will carry out research tasks within the framework of the project.  Among these tasks: 

• Development of the NAHUAL spectrograph for the GTC, particularly in regard to the capacity of this instrument to detect ultra-cool objects;

• Obtaining, data reduction and análisis of radial velocities of low mass stars an brown dwarfs using available instrumentation.

Doctorate: You must have obtained your PhD in Astrophysics or Physics and have your doctoral certificate at the moment of starting your appointment.

NOTE: Applicants who prepared their thesis at the IAC must present written evidence of having spent one continuous year, or 18 accumulated months, in other research institutes.

Remuneration: The gross annual salary is 33.422,54 €, subject to up to 20% tax and Social Security deductions. Medical insurance under the Spanish National Health Service will be provided, and will also cover your accompanying partner and children (if relevant).

Relocation grant: In the present call for applications we include a re-location grant for the successful candidate in which the following items are included: a flight ticket (booked and issued by the IAC), lodging for up to two weeks (organised by the IAC) and per diem for up to two weeks.  This grant will be limited to a ceiling value of € 2,000.

Duration:. From 1st April 2009 until 31st September 2009.

Non-UE citizens: If you are citizen of a country not belonging to the European Union, you are not allowed to sign any contract with the IAC until you obtain the compulsory documentation required to live and work in Spain (Visa, Residence Permit, Work Permit Waiver). Please contact the Spanish consulate in your country for details.

Compulsory documentation to submit:

• The Application Form: WORD or PDF;
• Curriculum Vitae, bibliography, brief statement of research interests, and a covering letter telling us about the skills you can bring to the job;
• A photocopy of your PhD Degree or certificate;
• At least two letters of recommendation must be sent (electronic submission preferred); directly by researchers or professionals familiar with your work, to the Secretariat of the IAC's Research Division: secinv@iac.es

For any additional information, please contact Dr. Eduardo Martín Guerrero (ege at iac.es) or either Dr. María Rosa Zapatero Osorio (mosorio at iac.es).